"Let's try kimchi."

Translation: 김치를 먹어봅시다.

[aidanh79]

Why can I not say 김치를 먹어봐요?

[Duo_Euphoria]

You can

[fir72405]

Why is 김치를 먹어보세요 not valid? Isn't it the same as 먹어봅시다?

[UltimetaSy]

It is not.

세요 is polite form for imperative sentence, while ㅂ시다 is honorific form for propositive sentence.

Order =/= invitation

[wintertriangles]

No, that's a command "try the kimchi (please)". Adding ㅂ시다/십시다 is the formal way of saying "let's"

[UltimetaSy]

.

[ververthesecret]

Can somebody explain the grammar point here please? I know 먹다 and -ㅂ시다 but 먹어보다..?

[shayisnthere]

Basically adding 아/어/여보다 to a verb in the way it's done here gives it the meaning "to try to ____ (the original verb)" For example: 이것은 아직 안 먹어봤어요 - "I haven't tried to eat this" as in "I haven't tried this food".

A good way to remember this is that 보다 is "to see", so you can think of it as trying something "to see if you like it"! I don't think that has anything to do with the actual reason 보다 is used, but it might be helpful for remembering.

[Seng-hianL1]

Using "too see" to mean "to try" is common in the languages in East Asia. FYI.

[RQZ.Sash]

Can I use an impolite form? 김치를 먹어보다?

[Duo_Euphoria]

That is dictiinary form and does not convey the meaning Let's

[Ares22636]

And 김치를 먹어보자?

[mhin1]

보자 is the propositive/hortative conjugation of 보다 at 해라체 ("written speech level") as opposed to the formal speech level of the given sentence.

This speech level is typically reserved for written Korean: it is a formal, non-polite speech level. When spoken, it is considered forceful when talking to your social equals and inferiors and rude when talking to your social superiors.

[Andrew590503]

Why can't I say "드셔봅시다"?

[mhin1]

I believe the correct verb conjugation to use is "드셔보십니다"

먹다 → 드시다 → 드셔보다 → 드셔보시다 → 드셔보십니다

Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/Korean/comments/2jfy24/q_honorific_%EC%8B%9C_in_compound_verb_structures/